Christianity One Year After Jesus

We start learning about the Christian movement with the letters of Paul, around the year 60, about 30 years after Jesus' death. But what was happening during its very first year? The Book of Acts, written decades after Paul, describes key events, but can we rely on its account as historical? If not, what can we infer from our various sources? What was actually happening in those years? Were thousands of people converting? Was the religion taking over the world? Was it declared illegal by the state? Or... ?

This week, Megan asks Bart about:

-What sources, if any, do we have for the very earliest days of Christianity?

-When was the book of Acts written, and how reliable a witness does it provide for the first year after Jesus’ death?

-Did the disciples stay in Jerusalem following Jesus’ crucifixion, or return to their homes in Galilee?

-Would the conversion of Gentiles have started yet, or would the group have been predominantly Jewish, still?

-Do we know what the followers of Jesus may have said to convert others to their beliefs?

-One year on, how many Christians can we estimate there to have been?

-Do we know how many of the disciples came to believe in his resurrection, and how quickly that belief formed after his death?

-How plausible is it that the disciples would think that the man they had spent the last months or years with, and had watched die, was actually god?

-What do we know about the leadership of the group following Jesus’ death?

-Do we know what their relationship was like with groups of authority - both the Jewish leadership, and the Roman empire? Would they have been seen as a threat?

-How do you explain how a small group of illiterate, rural peasants could lay the groundwork for a religion that would ultimately take over the empire? Had this already started by the end of the first year?

[zapkvr]

This is why Youtube was invented. These talks are very informative and genuinely engaging. I wish it had been around when I was in University in the seventies

[enaidealukal]

Ask and ye shall receive! I was endlessly scrolling through YT and I hit refresh and Behold; a new Misquoting Jesus episode! Just what I needed! Love thee show, keep up the good work !

[Nero-Caesar]

Bart really opend my eyes to how little so called Christians actually know about their own religion. In my experience secular people tend to have a deeper understanding of the subject matter. And as an atheist i know more now then i ever did when I was a "believer" thank you you Bart and Megan

[dominicestebanrice]

I recently heard it said that Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism were twin children born out of the catastrophe of the second temple destruction; I had no idea Judaism underwent major changes at the same time as Christianity was establishing itself.
Brilliant episode. Thanks!
BTW, you have the best introduction of any major channel i follow on YouTube; the combination of of the music choice combined with Megan's voice over is superb.

[kweassa]

Early Christianity is truly a fascinating subject. It gives us so many questions of "what if"

[Thomasw]

The problem with all things Giggles Ehrman is that Pilate composed and dispatched the original euangelion to Tiberius that is cited by Tertullian with in weeks, if not days, after Resurrection, The basic outline of that : Tidings of Joy" is framed by Mark 15:1 - 16:8 and includes the content that has been revealed as the Gospel of Peter, in particular the Talking Cross and the fact that the Roman soldiers were calling the Jesus Followers/People of the Way "Christians: long before Jesus was arrested,

Peter received the contents of Pilate's original euangelion from Cornelius, the centurion featured in Acts 10, during that three day debriefing, Peter's confession in Acts 10: 34 - 43 becomes the arcs of the narrative of the Gospel of Mark, which was composed by Cornelius and forwarded to Theophilus, his direct report, before the death of Caligula in Latin, which is why the Greek translation is so coarse, Which is to say, Mark was in circulation by 40 CE,

, The euangelion Peter employed at the Jerusalem Counsel to vet Paul's version of the euangelion cited 19 times by Paul in his Epistles included his confession to Cornelius in Acts 10 and the Gospel of Peter.

The Gospel of Matthew was written after the Jerusalem Council as a polemic supporting Peter's and James's Judaizing in answer to Galatians by around 50 CE, Both Mark and Matthew were available to Luke when he arrived at Cesarean with Paul in 68 or so.

Luke's eye witness journalism begins in Acts 16:6 - 10, Luke begins Acts as a amicus brief for Paul's defense in Rome but expands it to include what is now the Gospel f Luke after being introduced to Cornelius, who is the curator of what we understand a Quelle with a commission from Theophilus, who is Equestrian responsible for the Judea desk, Luke and Acts are delivered to Theophilus in Rome in time for Paul's defense before the Italian Regiment of the Praetorian Guard. Philippians is an end zone celebration of the success of Paul's defense before Paul's subsequent imprisonment and execution in 46 CE,

Hebrews and Revelation are likewise completed before the Jewish Wars get real traction, which is to say, by 68 CE. The essential connection between Jesus and Josephus is the feeding of the 5000, which creates part of the Jewish force that destroys the 12 Legion in 66 that triggers the Jewish Wars.

The entire Roman legions were converted from Pagan God fearers to Pagan Christians with the Talking Cross, which is the ratification of the covenant between Elohim the One and the authority of the centurion in Matthew 8:9. Matthew 8:10 is the justification by faith of the centurion, who is Cornelius, by Jesus that is the parallel to the justification by faith of Abram in Genesis 15:6.

All this was done before 70 CE The conceit that Mark is derivative of Pauline Theology is pointey-headed college professor fairy tales. .

[riddlezastra]

great idea.. haven't heard a serious talk on this topic really.. can't wait for the next episode as well.. this is one of the few podcasts that i come back to every week.. keep up the good work!

[pauldueffert]

I've been attending Christian churches ever since I was an infant and I've never once heard a careful, chronological discussion of the events reported in Matthew and Acts, the months immediately following the resurrection of Jesus.

[brent]

Another great, thought provoking episode...regardless of what side of the fence you are on, those hardcore Christians really do everything they can, to make it all fit together..regardless of how ridiculous!

[JamesBecker-snib]

I deeply admire Dr. Ehrman’s presence, patience, and respectful attitude toward those on the other side of the debate table. Debating true believers can be a flustering experience, but Dr. Ehrman always keeps his cool and his sense of humor.

[chansetwo]

With regard to the opening remarks: I started college at age 18. Due to financial constraints, I dropped out at 22. Then, at 35, I went back and finished. The difference in my attitude and performance from my teen experience to my mid-30's experience was like night and day. Certainly, students that study through the whole semester will do better than those that do not. But, I think the first group will also more likely have the attitude, interest and work ethic to do better than the second group.

[HHasan-ofvi]

Desciples of Jesus Christ never think that Jesus died for their sins.

[mindfulskills]

Hi Bart, I enjoy your podcasts immensely. Although not a literal Christian believer, I appreciate the archetypal power, beauty and depth of the gospel stories. In this spirit I've enjoyed watching the TV drama "The Chosen", and wonder what your thoughts are on that program. For one thing, the Romans are ubiquitous throughout the drama, both in Rome and in Galilee. Matthew is collecting taxes in Capernaum on their behalf. I gather from things you say that this is totally wrong. Could you elucidate? "The Chosen" has become such a phenomenon that historical analysis of it might be a good subject for one of your episodes.

[montagdp]

I submitted this question a month or two ago, but it didn't get selected. I've been wondering for a while: who exactly did Paul persecute before he became a Christian? Paul was in the diaspora outside of Judea, and this happened within a few years of Jesus's death, so it's remarkable that there were even enough Christians there to be worth the effort of persecuting. Perhaps there just happened to be a pocket in the synagogue Paul attended? Regardless, I think there must have been some initial surge of people converting and spreading the gospel within the first few years, though not as dramatic as Acts describes.

[BunnyWatson-kw]

I just finished watching an awful episode of the Whatever podcast. My brain needs some real education after watching those panelists. That's why I'm here. Bart always has great insights into the Bible.

[richardglady]

Thank you so much for covering a period in history few are willing to touch. Yet this period was vital to the creation of Christianity. Thanks for posting this video on YouTube.

[billfennelly]

Question for Bart. If we hold that the four Gospels and Acts were written after 70 CE, why do none of the authors, whoever they are, not mention the destruction of the Temple? Or am I missing something in the writings that were influenced by the events surrounding the Jewish revolt at the time

[reganjo]

16:54 I can’t recall Josephus writing about the number of converts. Assuming he is an objective source he surely would have mentioned “thousands” of Christian’s pre 70…

[TheClearwall]

I really appreciate all the work yall do to put this on. Personally, I only listen to the first half or so. I want to hear the content but don't really care about the "weekly schedule" stuff . But keep up the great work

[aurelielagrange]

I’m no longer a scholar (out of funding for school, alas) but a major part of listening to & reviewing lectures is asking questions, learning & never stop processing & THINKING.